About

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington and the south canyon walls in Oregon. The mission of the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute is to create life-long learning opportunities that foster a sense of wonder and community [...]

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Programs

The Ecology Institute’s SECRETS program has served regional communities since 1997.  From a handful of classes when it began, the SECRETS program now reaches almost every 5th grade classroom in a 2000 square mile service area and is known as a model for place-based education across the nation. In addition, our Science in Action program [...]

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Support Us

There’s many ways you can support the Institute, through membership, volunteering, program sponsorship.  You can also learn more on how to support the Institute through other gifts of stock or estate planning. You can also go ahead and make a tax-deductible donation today with the link to the right.  

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Nature Notes

Why do we love environmental and place-based education?  Because we love the outdoor world and want to share our enthusiasm with you!  Welcome to Nature Notes: posts on our blog to tell you when the first grass widows bloom, what species are migrating through the Gorge, or fun facts about trees you see every day.

But we need your help.  Let us know when you see new flowers blooming or interesting wildlife.  Ask us questions about the natural world.  We will create a Nature Note and share it on our blog, our Facebook page, and our twitter feed (@GorgeEcology).  So make sure you’re following us to get the latest updates about the beautiful place we live!

To make a Nature Report on a recent wildflower or wildlife sighting in the Gorge fill out the form below and attach a photo if you have one.  We’ll compile reports, post them on our blog, and send out a “tweet” to let you know when a new Nature Notes post is up.

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Subject
Gorge Sighting

Let us know what you saw, where you saw it, and a little bit about your story!


 

 

Blog

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    New Online Store and Spring Sale!

    Emily’s excited about our new online store and our spring sale! You can get an eCOOLogy shirt and a Don’t Run from Bears book for only $20! Our new online store is up and running you can check it out now. In addition to sweet swag you can feel great knowing you are helping provide [...]

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  • A Proud Partner

    We’re fortunate enough here at CGEI to have many incredible partners and supporters. TREW (check out their website here http://www.trewgear.com/) has been an unbelievable amount of help to us over the years. Not only do these guys provide monetary resources for us through their commitment to 1% For The Planet but they also volunteer, conduct outreach, [...]

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    It’s spring!

    Although it officially became spring over a month ago the wildflowers have just recently begun displaying their beauty on the hillsides of the Gorge. The bright yellow of the Balsam Root and the deep purple of the Lupine have been capturing the eye of our camera lens lately. They have also captured the mind and [...]

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    Join us for Frog Fest!

    Saturday April 6th 10am Snowden Wetlands. (directions below) Frog Fest is a free event and an opportunity to search for our native amphibious friends, the Pacific treefrog, the Red-Legged frog, and Northwestern salamander.                 Directions: View Larger Map

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    Field Excursion with CGEI!

    On April 15th CGEI will be hosting an all day Field Excursion. The day will be broken down into a morning session as well as an afternoon session with plenty of time for lunch and games. In the morning we will reveal the Power of Water as participants will discover how to measure the flow [...]

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  • In it for The Long Run

    On this first day of spring, we are easily moved to be thankful for this time of year, for the long winter to be over.  This is the time of year for hope, outdoor endeavors and recreation, gardening, for blessed warmth. The Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute was started in 1997 and we are celebrating our [...]

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    Spring Internship Opportunity

    The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington and the south canyon walls in Oregon. The Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute is a 510 (c)(3) education organization. The mission of the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute is to create [...]

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  • One Amazing Volunteer!

    Jodi is an amazing SECRETS volunteer who works with us at Colonel Wright Elementary. Learn how you can get involved with SECRETS here! Master Recycler Jodi TePoel Helps Local School Make Money From “Garbage” Anyone who knows Jodi TePoel knows that she is a passionate dumpster diva. A busy mom of three, she volunteers at [...]

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    Wetlands Habitat Restoration Series

    This spring we will be continuing our restoration efforts on the Snowden Wetlands! We have several dates in March and April when we would like to invite any and all to join us in our stewardship. This event series is on a volunteer basis in which participants will be helping with the removal of invasive [...]

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  • “Ribbit – Ribbit!”

    Spring is lurking just around the corner. Not only does that mean warmer temperatures, wildflowers blooming, and more hours of light in each day but at CGEI it also indicates increased time spent in the field! Spring is also a special time in our ecosystems as they burst back to life with sounds and smells [...]

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